Several hours had drifted by, and Yuren found himself seated on the grand marble steps of the Empire's palace, weary and seeking solace. The palace loomed majestically before him, a monumental structure steeped in power and authority. It was the residence of the Empress, the epicenter of her cabinet, the royal guards, and the esteemed grand council.
The walls of the palace towered impressively over the surrounding city, their robust stone facades adorned with intricate carvings that depicted the Empire's storied history. At the heart of this architectural marvel, a central tower soared high into the sky, almost touching the clouds, symbolizing the strength and ambition of the Empire.
Surrounding the palace, a significant contingent of soldiers stood vigilant, their crisp uniforms glistening in the sunlight. This imposing security detail was not just a formality; it was a powerful statement about the lengths to which the Empress and her council would go to maintain order and protect their domain.
The soldiers were strategically positioned, their watchful eyes scanning the area, ensuring that no one could breach the sanctity of the palace grounds. The sheer presence of this military force conveyed the gravity of their mission and the seriousness with which they approached the defense of the Empire.
He knew this much as he stood up and walked towards the main gate, a large red barrier forming in front of him.
"Stop. State your name and business." A guard's voice called out.
Yuren's hand rested on the barrier; he absorbed its energy, and it vanished.
"What? Who are you?!" The guard demanded, shock filling his voice as the barrier reappeared and the commander stepped inside, ignoring his cries.
"I've come to speak with the Empress, Yu Chien." Yuren announced as he walked up the steps, passing by the soldiers stationed around.
The soldiers had no idea what to do, one of them raising his rifle to fire at the intruder, only to have it dissolve from his hands.
They only stared at the silver-haired boy whose power was far greater than they had ever seen.
Yuren ascended the grand staircase, the sound of his footsteps echoing against the marble. He passed the imposing guards stationed at the entrance and finally reached the large palace doors, which swung open of their own accord as he stepped inside. The vast hall greeted him with a chilling silence, devoid of any welcoming presence.
He glanced around, taking in the opulent surroundings, but found himself alone. The anticipated attendees for the council were conspicuously absent, leaving the ornate chamber eerily quiet. With a growing sense of unease, he proceeded down the gleaming marble-floored hallway, each step echoing in the vastness, until he arrived at the courtroom of the Grand Council.
As he approached, the heavy door creaked open, revealing an unexpected sight. Yuren's eyes widened in disbelief; every seat in the grand council chamber was empty, and the name plaques that usually adorned the desks were completely blank. A wave of confusion washed over him. What could have happened to the Grand Council?
Determined to uncover the truth, he navigated through the echoing hallways until he turned into a smaller room. There, he found a lone man seated at a cluttered table, seemingly engrossed in a flurry of screens displaying a myriad of headlines and articles. Yuren's gaze was drawn to a particularly alarming notice: a public address and execution were scheduled to take place within just two hours at the central district's public square.
Panic surged through him as he glanced at his watch and realized there were only forty-six minutes left. Without wasting a moment, Yuren burst through the wall, channeling all his energy into flight. He soared rapidly through the air, straining against the wind as he made his way toward the central district of the Empire.
Upon arrival, he landed forcefully atop a tall building, his heart pounding fiercely in his chest as he surveyed the scene below. Waves of people from every corner of society had gathered, their faces a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as Yuren watched them focus intently on the stage, each individual wondering what could bring them all together for such a momentous and foreboding event.
"My lovely people!" Yu's voice rang out over a megaphone as she stood in front of the stage with several soldiers around her.
The crowd roared as they recognized the Empress, and many quickly began to take out their phones and record the speech she was about to give.
It'd be her second public address since she had inherited the throne from her late father. The first was the announcement of the Grand Council's formation and the first phase of their rule over the Empire.
"My people," Yu began, her voice resonating with conviction as she stood before the gathered crowd. "I know these times have been fraught with strife and uncertainty for our Empire—and for each one of you. So many have been uprooted from their homes, torn from their loved ones, and have lost faith in the very government that promised to protect you. The ongoing war with the Republic has cast a long shadow of fear and doubt over us all."
As she spoke, the crowd remained utterly captivated, their eyes fixed on the Empress, hanging on her every word, sensing the weight of the moment.
"But today, I stand before you to unveil the truth—truths that have been hidden, truths you have every right to know. You have been wronged, misled, and deliberately kept in the dark by the Grand Council," she declared, her voice rising above the murmurs of disbelief and confusion that rippled through the crowd.
Whispers turned to shouts as people exchanged glances, grappling with the implications of her statements. Why would their Empress say such things about those who held power in their Empire?
"I have come to shed light on the reality behind the Council's actions and the burdens they have unjustly imposed upon you—the very people they were meant to serve." Yu took a moment to gather her thoughts, allowing tension to build in the air before continuing. "As you know, the Grand Council was entrusted with the noble duty of preserving our Empire's unity. Yet, that sacred responsibility has been twisted and exploited for their own gain! The goodwill and legacy of my father have been sullied by their greed and ambition!"
At this declaration, the crowd erupted once more, a storm of anger and indignation as they realized the extent of the betrayal they had endured.
Yu stood resolutely, her determination unwavering. She knew that this was just the beginning of the reckoning for the Grand Council. She would not relent until the truth resonated within the hearts of her people.
"What happened to our northern district," she continued, her voice firm and unyielding, "was not a consequence of the Republic's actions, but rather a tragic reflection of the selfish ambitions harbored by these council members." Her statement ignited a fervor in the crowd, their emotions igniting to a frenzy as they demanded justice.
The council members, previously trusted figures, were brought out onto the stage, forced to face the people and answer for their transgressions. The atmosphere crackled with a mixture of outrage and anticipation, a pivotal moment where the tides of power began to shift.
"Wait is she...?" Yuren stood, realizing the Empress was about to announce the existence of the Meteorn to the public.
"That's right... they have made a new enemy because of their blind and foolish ambition." Yu continued as she took a step back, and images of Meteorn were projected behind her.
"Our war with the Republic wasn't enough already, these came from beyond the star and their wrath comes from the pain these greedy, self-centered bastards have caused!" Yu shouted, her eyes full of rage and fury. "What say you, my people, how should we handle our situation?"
"Destroy them!"
"Kill them!"
"Execute the traitors!"
"Revenge for our families!"
The crowd's anger swelled, directed fiercely towards the members of the Council, their shouts of death and violence reverberating through the square like a thunderstorm. Yu stood at the forefront, her heart racing as she witnessed this unanticipated wave of outrage. Although startled, she felt an overwhelming sense of pride swell within her. The crowd was ready to rise up and fight, their resolve clear—there would be no mercy for the traitors who had betrayed them.
"That's right!" she exclaimed, her voice rising above the din. "The punishment for subverting the rule of the crown and endangering our Empire must be absolute. These are not mere dissidents; they are criminals who must be executed!" She turned her gaze to the members of the Grand Council, her eyes ablaze with conviction. The council members stood frozen, their faces pale, fully aware that there was no escape from the justice that awaited them.
Yuren watched in awe, his mind racing as he tried to understand the unfolding drama. What kind of twist was this? The Nova Genesis Project, had it been shrouded in so much secrecy that he had only recently begun to grasp its implications.
"I will show no mercy," Yu declared, her voice steady and resolute as she took a deep breath to steady herself. "This is your choice. Justice must be served not only for the pain these monsters have inflicted but for the dignity and future of our beloved Empire."
With a commanding gesture, she signaled the soldiers to step forward. They moved with precision and purpose, forcing the council members to kneel before the restless crowd, their bodies trembling with fear. Yu raised her hand high, and the air was charged with an electric anticipation. A powerful roar of approval erupted from the gathered masses, cheers cascading through the square like a tidal wave as the soldiers took aim.
Yuren felt the weight of the moment, closing his eyes tightly and turning his head away in a futile attempt to shield himself from the inevitable. Yet, he could not block out the chilling sound of gunshots that punctuated the air, each shot echoing like a drumbeat signaling the end of an era.
As the dust settled, the Empress herself stepped onto the stage, her presence commanding attention. With a low, strong voice, she addressed the crowd once more. "It's time we put our great Empire back on the path to prosperity! It's time we finally put the Republic in its rightful place!"
The crowd exploded in cheers, a sea of upraised fists igniting in fervor as they chanted the Empress's name, their voices merging into a single powerful anthem of loyalty and defiance. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the promise of a new beginning and the unyielding spirit of an Empire ready to rise again.
"We do not need the power of those from the stars, our Empire has always been the pinnacle of power! We don't need it! And we'll crush all our enemies as we've done before! And even the heavens above shall know our might!" Yu shouted, her words becoming fiercer and fiercer with each passing moment.
The crowd was louder than ever, cheering and screaming for the Empress and her declaration of finishing the war on the Republic.
Yuren sighed. He'd have to come back and talk to Yu some other time; the Empire was about to undergo some drastic changes, and he'd have to adapt.
He turned around and walked away from the scene, warping back to the Trinity Range.